My 7 month old puppy has had diarrhea for almost a week, and it is starting to scare me. He has also vomited several times. Sorry to say, but his bowel movements have gone from bad to worse, and he is starting to squirt when he needs to poop.

Last weekend he did have a T-bone bone from a steak, could that have caused it?

Should I take him to the vet, or wait a couple more days? He is still playing, although he is sleeping more. I don't think he is dehydrated. How do I check for a fever?

I'm a first time dog owner, and he has stolen my heart, so I don't want anything to happen to him. Please help me!

Welcome Onyx07. I certainly understand your love and concern for your puppy. I would not wait any longer to bring your pup in to see a vet as soon as possible, especially since it's getting worse and has lasted a week. Please let a vet diagnose and treat him immediately...and when you can, let us know how it went .

Agreed. Your puppy could be in serious trouble after this length of time. Puppies dehydrate much more quickly than adult dogs do and this can be fatal. Moreover, if he has eaten a bone, particularly a cooked bone it may have splintered or be creating a blockage. Please see your Vet asap and let us know how you make out.

How do I take his temperature?
Rectal thermometers can be purchased from Walmart for about 3 dollars.
Normal Dog range: 99.5  102.5 F (37.5  39.2 C)

Determining Hydration.
1) Feel the saliva  if it feels like normal saliva (ewww .. ) then that is a good sign. If it feels like paste  dehydration may be present
2) Pull the skin at the top of the neck  it should snap back into place. If it is slow to return to normal  another sign of dehydration.
3) If your pet is still playful  dehydration is unlikely. But this of course, does not mean you should post-pone your veterinary visit.

Good luck and let us know how he does!

P.S. - Pepto bismol can also help till you get to the vet. In general I use one teaspoon for a 10-30 pound dog.

I've been through this when my lab was a puppy last year. He had a diarrhea caused by a cooked bone and it took us a while to figure it out. And he haven't had any bone ever since. We were at the vet last week for his shots and our vet suggested giving him raw bone to clean his teeth. I am still debating whether I should give him the Nylon type instead.

I would definitely get your dog to a vet as sooon as possible. Our shih zu had the diaharea for three days,,was drinking some water,,but still was dehydrated and had to spend the afternoon at the vets on I.V.. This can be very serious and possibly fatal and not something you should delay. Good luck.
Dobb

I seem to have the same trouble with my 19 week lab. Although his stools are firm in the morning, they become looser as the day progresses. By the end of the day, they resemble a cow patty. (My apologies for the unpleasant visual there.) There is nothing new in his diet, and I believe that he is on an exceptional puppy food. He occasionally is given a twisted beef tendon for dental care. Water consumption is good. No vomiting.

His energy level is the same, and his sleeping habits are as well, but...